Forest Protection Committee: Sundargarh villagers transform denuded hill into lush green forest | Bhubaneswar News
Rourkela: Untiring efforts of Van Suraksha Samiti (forest protection committee) of Sagarpali village in Sundargarh district for over 20 years has helped transform a denuded hill, Kurladungri, into a lush green forest.
The Sagarapalli VSS was formed in 1993-94. At that time, Kurladungri hill which is spread over an area of 121.41 hectares was completely denuded.The samiti prepared and executed a number of rules and regulations for forest conservation. Its members started ‘Thengapali’, a stick rotation-based forest patrol practice, and ‘Muthidhana’— providing a handful of paddy towards forest protection activities and also create a corpus fund. They also created awareness in and around the village on forest fire and wildlife conservation. The committee now has 365 members.
The members planted pipal, banyan, sesame and palm seedlings around Kurladungri to create a natural forest boundary.
To avoid open grazing and control fires, they dug cattle-proof trenches for 4 km. They also formed a forest fire control team.
The samiti is now implementing the second phase of Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project, which has drastically reduced pressure on forest resources and increased both farming and alternative sustainable livelihood options as well as strengthened the women self-help groups. VSS members are now using LPG cylinders. Women SHGs are involved in alternative livelihood options like dairy farming, mushroom farming, vermin compost preparation, turmeric cultivation, millet farming, and small businesses, among others.
“We have transformed the denuded hill into lush green forest in just 25 years and created a safe home for wild animals. We are thankful for the continuous support of forest department officials and regular hand holding and mobilisation support by the NGO Sewak,” said Debanand Mahaling, treasurer of the committee.
Sagarpalli VSS received the Biju Patnaik Award from chief minister Mohan Majhi for their exemplary contribution towards forest protection and Rs 1 lakh at the Van Mahotsav programme in Bhubaneswar on July 5.
The Sagarapalli VSS was formed in 1993-94. At that time, Kurladungri hill which is spread over an area of 121.41 hectares was completely denuded.The samiti prepared and executed a number of rules and regulations for forest conservation. Its members started ‘Thengapali’, a stick rotation-based forest patrol practice, and ‘Muthidhana’— providing a handful of paddy towards forest protection activities and also create a corpus fund. They also created awareness in and around the village on forest fire and wildlife conservation. The committee now has 365 members.
The members planted pipal, banyan, sesame and palm seedlings around Kurladungri to create a natural forest boundary.
To avoid open grazing and control fires, they dug cattle-proof trenches for 4 km. They also formed a forest fire control team.
The samiti is now implementing the second phase of Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project, which has drastically reduced pressure on forest resources and increased both farming and alternative sustainable livelihood options as well as strengthened the women self-help groups. VSS members are now using LPG cylinders. Women SHGs are involved in alternative livelihood options like dairy farming, mushroom farming, vermin compost preparation, turmeric cultivation, millet farming, and small businesses, among others.
“We have transformed the denuded hill into lush green forest in just 25 years and created a safe home for wild animals. We are thankful for the continuous support of forest department officials and regular hand holding and mobilisation support by the NGO Sewak,” said Debanand Mahaling, treasurer of the committee.
Sagarpalli VSS received the Biju Patnaik Award from chief minister Mohan Majhi for their exemplary contribution towards forest protection and Rs 1 lakh at the Van Mahotsav programme in Bhubaneswar on July 5.
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